Ready to Die is the Notorious B.I.G.’s most famous album and another classic rap album that I never really bothered to listen to. I finally did, and it may be one of the most intense albums that I have ever listened to.

Biggie Smalls raps about some very serious subject matter. His over all theme of the album is that growing up in the ghetto is a very rough life and that to get out it seems like the only two ways are either “with a jump shot” or selling crack. The whole album really brings light to a dark side of our society. One of the most powerful songs is called “Suicidal Thoughts” and it is just about that: suicide. Any rapper that can get that serious and still make some slick beats deserves the respect of all the hip hop community.